EAST BAY / Police Say Teens Intended To Start Fire

Benicia -- Three teenage girls arrested in connection with a wildfire that damaged four homes and scorched nearly 100 acres intended to start the blaze, police say.

Investigators have recovered a cigarette lighter believed to have been used to set the fire Sunday, police say.

"It appears that the fire was started deliberately and was not the result of an accident due to smoking," police spokeswoman Jennifer Maurer said yesterday. "These little girls could be in big trouble -- and their parents could be hit with the costs for fighting the fire."

"They were just playing around and it got a little out of hand," said Sergeant Mark Alkire.

The girls' names were not released because they are minors. Maurer said two of the girls are 14 and one is 13.